DENVER (AP) - Juan Nicasio allowed three singles over eight innings and Mark Ellis had three hits, including a two-run homer, in his Colorado debut as the Rockies beat the slumping Kansas City Royals 9-0 on Friday night.

Troy Tulowitzki connected on a two-run homer, Todd Helton added a two-run double and pinch-hitter Charlie Blackmon lined the first homer of his major league career - on his 25th birthday, no less - to help the Rockies snap a two-game slide. Nicasio (3-1) struck out four and got the Royals to hit into 16 groundouts. The Royals lost their fourth straight.